Chicago Cubs’ Ben Zobrist works out during practice before baseball’s National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, in Chicago. The Cubs host Game 1 of the series against the Dodgers on Saturday. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw warms up during the team practice before baseball’s National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, in Chicago. The Dodgers play Game 1 of the series against the Cubs on Saturday. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

The Cubs finished third in the majors in runs scored (808) and OPS (.772) and second in on-base percentage (.343) during the regular season. Second-year star Kris Bryant and first baseman Anthony Rizzo each drove in over 100 runs. Bryant is likely to win the National League MVP after hitting .292 with 39 home runs and finishing fourth in the NL with a .939 OPS (Rizzo was two spots back at .928).

But the Giants showed the Cubs can be pitched to. They held them to a .200 batting average and .247 on-base percentage in their four-game NL Division Series. Pitchers Jake Arrieta and Trevor Wood hit two of the Cubs’ five homers in the series. Add in Kyle Hendricks and pitchers drove in six of the Cubs’ 17 runs against the Giants.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, were not as dangerous on offense and also relied on two key players to drive their offense — presumptive Rookie of the Year Corey Seager and third baseman Justin Turner. Turner has proven to be an outstanding playoff performer the past two falls and went 6 for 15 with a triple, a home run and five RBIs in the NLDS against the Nationals.

But the Dodgers have a large vulnerability the Cubs will try to exploit — they go limp against left-handed pitching. The Cubs will try to exploit that with Game 1 starter Jon Lester and relievers Mike Montgomery, Travis Wood and closer Aroldis Chapman.

ADVANTAGE: Cubs

STARTING PITCHING

The Cubs had the best starting rotation in baseball this season. Their starters were 81-39 with a MLB-low 2.96 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and .213 opponents’ batting average while throwing the second-most innings (989).

That group is rested and lined up for the NLDS with Game 2 starter Kyle Hendricks having apparently recovered from taking a line drive off his right arm during the NLDS.

The Dodgers’ best hope might be the element of surprise on their side — the Cubs did not face Kenta Maeda, Clayton Kershaw or Rich Hill during the regular season. Those three are expected to start the first three games of this series for the Dodgers.

Kershaw is the wild card. There is no way to predict how much his NLDS heroics — starting on three days’ rest in Game 4 and closing out Game 5 in relief — might have taken out of him.

ADVANTAGE: Cubs

BULLPEN

The Dodgers would not be at Wrigley Field this weekend if not for their bullpen — and manager Dave Roberts’ inspired and uninhibited use of that relief corps.

They will undoubtedly be asked to continue to carry a heavy load against the Cubs. The question is — how much longer can they do it without buckling? Closer Kenley Jansen threw 51 pitches in Game 5 and had some “leg fatigue” the next day, according to Roberts. You better believe he did and that could make him vulnerable in the NLCS.

The mid-season acquisition of Chapman changed the Cubs’ bullpen, giving Maddon a deep and flexible relief corps at his disposal.

Still … the Dodgers’ bullpen crew has earned its battlefield promotion.

ADVANTAGE: Dodgers

DEFENSE

The Cubs and Dodgers were the two most efficient defensive teams in the NL this season, turning a higher percentage of batted balls into outs than the rest of the league. The Dodgers did it with sophisticated scouting and positioning — including lasers — more than any individual brilliance.

The Cubs did it despite manager Joe Maddon moving pieces around. Bryant started games at five different positions (all three outfield spots, first base and his true home, third base). Javier Baez started at all four infield positions — but particularly sparkled at second base during the series with the Giants.

ADVANTAGE: Even

PREDICTION

This has been advertised as the Year of the Cubs since pitchers and catchers reported to spring training eight months ago. Maddon has preached to a fairly young team an “Embrace the target” philosophy to deal with the pressure of being expected to end the North Siders’ 108-year World Series title drought. They responded with a 103-win regular season. The Dodgers’ franchise has its own title drought — 28 years, piddling by comparison unless you live in Southern California. They have a long way to go to catch up. …. Cubs in six games.

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